Best Foods For Depression

A healthy diet is essential to help fight depression in my eyes. There are many natural foods that help fight depression. Think about it everyone! By eating junk, you are putting your body and mind in an unhealthy state. Throughout this article, I will be discussing the best foods for depression.

Have you ever ate a ton of junk food one night and noticed that not only your body felt terrible, but so did your mind? I have. With depression and anxiety already coming at me in wave-lengths, I started to notice that eating unhealthy did not help my case at all.

Unhealthy eating leads to an unhealthy body which in turn leads to an unhealthy mind. You are not consuming the proper vitamins, antioxidants, proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, probiotics … and the list goes on when you eat UNHEALTHY!

According to the Harvard Medical School, proper nutritious foods have a very important impact on your mental health. These nutrients are essential for providing mind growth, mood-enhancement, and brain health. Implement a healthy diet into your daily routine and you will feel better mentally and physically! Don’t believe me? You are just going to have to try it.

If you are depressed or have been diagnosed clinically depressed, then you may feel like eating junk food is your safe haven. You can always rely on this to make you feel comfort. In reality, you are doing more long-term damage to your mind and body by eating unhealthy and going on junk-food spurts.

What I did:

I have had a long journey with both depression and anxiety. It did take me a while until I took the appropriate measures to fix my mind-state, but when I did, I felt much better. The three most aspects I changed about my life were:

Now I implement these life-style changes into my daily routine and I am on the path to greater happiness. Each day I feel better knowing that my mind and body are receiving the proper nutrients and exercise they need to succeed and be happy.

I now truly believe I am on the path to ultimately defeating my mental illnesses and it all started with simple life-style changes. With eating healthy, incorporating exercise as well as natural supplements, I noticed a huge improvement towards my physical and mental health.

I am now constantly motivated to do something such as helping all of you here. I live to help people and I love aiding those with mental health struggles as I was at rock-bottom once. Anyways, I now feel motivated, dedicated and possess a strong work-ethic.

I am also more sociable, out-going, and love going on adventures such as vacations or trips. I love to exercise and implement a healthy appetite and sleep routine into my life-cycle. Before I implemented these life-style changes, all of these things were extremely difficult.

I had no motivation. I never wanted to exercise and didn’t care to eat healthy. Sometimes I wouldn’t even eat because I had no appetite. Sleep was a hit and miss. Sometimes I wouldn’t fall asleep. Other times I couldn’t wake up and didn’t want to anyways. I isolated myself from family and friends because my mental illness was telling me this was the best. However, it felt terrible. It was a rough road but I am more than happy I changed my life-style and now feel that much better.

I encourage you to do the same! I promise you will notice an improvement. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to connect, don’t hesitate to comment below.

Foods That Help Depression

Omega-3

These fatty acids are essential for mental health. I have stressed to implement omega-3 fatty acids into your diet numerous times because it is that important! Many citizens have turned to omega-3s for their physical and mental health. Approximately, Americans spend $2.6 billion yearly on this product. You can also obtain your Omega-3s by consuming fatty fishes such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel.

There are numerous health benefits associated with it such as:

Lower blood pressure

Reduces risk of heart failure

Increases mind-function and brain health

Elevates mood and productivity

Replenishes essential brain cells

Omega-3s are considered what is called an anti-inflammatory meaning they are essential for your brain health as they decrease inflammation in this area. With brain inflammation, there is a greater chance that mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety will result. If you are already diagnosed with depression or any other mental illness such as anxiety, Omega-3 effectively helps to improve your mental state. Inflammation will be reduced nonetheless leading to an elevated mood and increased brain function.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to obtain the plentiful amount of omega-3s you need as they are found in difficult food groups to get such as fatty fishes I mentioned (salmon, sardines, and mackerel). Personally, I consume my omega-3s through natural supplement form which I find very efficient and healthy. But if you would like to spend your time buying these food products with the essential omega-3s, then go for it! You will feel better mentally and physically.

Vitamins B,C,D

Consume your vitamins! If I could stress one thing for the rest of my life, it would be the importance of vitamins which can be obtained through many different food groups as well as through supplement form.

Vitamin B is essential for mental health. They work by making energy from the food you consume, thereby forming red blood cells. The foods that are rich with vitamin B are meat, leafy greens (kale, swiss chard, spinach), dairy, peas, and whole grains. Yet with these food groups, there are still abundance of people with vitamin B deficiency. Vitamin deficiency can result for numerous people with different conditions such as those who are vegetarian or vegan, people who implement fasting, have stomach disorders, pregnant or breastfeeding women, over the age of 50, and take prescription antacids.

I believe I consume my B vitamins through the food I eat, but just in case I take supplements to ensure I am receiving the plentiful amount I need for a healthy body and mind.

Vitamin C is of course another essential vitamin for our mental and physical health. Mental disorders often steal from us. They take away our sleep, appetite, social lives, energy, and happy moods. They come in wave-lengths stealing these vital aspects of our lives day by day. Through vitamin C efficiency, we can feel better.

Vitamin C promotes a healthy body and mind. Vitamin C deficiency can actually lead to some physical diseases such as scurvy, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease. With physical disorders coming into play, your mental health will be affected too. This is why vitamin C is essential for our physical and mental health as they promote an overall positive effect on our bodies and brains.

Foods that are rich in vitamin C are red peppers, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, grapefruit, oranges, kiwi, green peppers, and guava. There are of course others but these are the food groups you will obtain the most vitamin C.

Vitamin D is great for mental and physical health conditions. You are probably noticing a pattern here. Take your vitamins over and over again! Vitamin D receptors have been found in areas of the brain that help regulate and promote serotonin levels. A theory that is presented is that vitamin D affects the amount of monoamines (a chemical like serotonin) in the brain. Therefore, with vitamin D deficiency, there is higher risk of decreased monoamine levels, thereby resulting in depression symptoms.

By consuming your vitamin D, you will notice an improvement towards your mental health. Our bodies are complex machines that are pre-programmed to take-up natural supplements/remedies/food as they work together to promote healthiness.

Minerals

Essential minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron support a healthy immune system while also elevating neurological functions within the mind. Nutrients have a powerful impact on mind function. I truly wish more people understood this. In essence, our nervous system actually requires these nutrients to function properly and efficiently.

This video is one I find very powerful. Julia J Rucklidge, Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Canterbury, discusses the importance of nutrition for our mental health. Please give it a view as you may have a new found perspective on the imperative need for proper nutrients.

Foods that are high in mineral nutrients include lean meats, whole grains, leafy greens, oysters, pumpkin seeds, and nuts. For an abundance of iron up-take, I would suggest to stock up on unprocessed meats, clams, nuts, beans, chicken liver, tofu, dark chocolate, and sunflower seeds. To stock up on magnesium, I would recommend an abundance of nuts, whole grains, leafy greens, and legumes.

Antioxidants

These are essentially molecules that prevent oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can develop into chain reactions that may further damage cells. Thus consuming your antioxidants allows your cells to be balanced in a healthy state. There is scientific evidence that suggests oxidation reactions that lead to high free radical levels may play an important role in the development of numerous mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Antioxidant sources whether made from the body or by consuming food reduce the effects of free radicals, also known as oxidative cell damage, which can play a critical role in the prevention of mental disorders as well as physical conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

Some antioxidants are made from the body itself while others we receive from consuming specific food groups. Foods that are abundant in antioxidants include:

Wild blueberries

Pecans

Elderberries

Artichoke

Cilantro

Cranberries

Blackberries

Kidney beans

Golji berries

Dark Chocolate

Oregano

Turmeric

Parsley

Basil

Ginger

Cumin

Cinnamon

Cocoa

There is a vast abundance of antioxidants you can receive to efficiently add to your diet that include a plentiful amount of fruits and vegetables. Of course, the higher consumption of fruits and vegetables consumed have led to a lower risk of mental disorders.

Again, you can consume your antioxidants through food sources or supplement form. In my opinion, there are many fruit and plant-based foods that are easily attainable for you to add to your diet. You will feel better consuming these foods.

Microbiotics

These are beneficial bacteria that are found throughout the digestive tract. They are crucial for proper digestion and strong immune function as well as for your mental health. More specifically, probiotics naturally produce digestive enzymes which allow for food to be properly broken down when consumed. Probiotics produce the appropriate enzymes to completely break down each food polymer to its building block, thus being essential for digestion health.

Microbiotics/probiotics are classified as anti-inflammatory microbes that affect not only the gut in a positive way, but also the brain. They aid in decreasing stress signaling in the body and further increase the transformation of tryptophan into serotonin (happy chemical found in the brain). Scientific research has shown that probiotics can help elevate mood by increasing these serotonin levels. Other studies have shown a decrease in anxiety symptoms. It does make sense for probiotics to help both physical and mental health. With probiotic deficiency, you are accumulating inflammation in the body and brain which can lead to mental and physical disorders.

There are several foods known to have an abundance of probiotics. They include miso soup, milk, kefir, soy milk, dark chocolate, yogurt, and sauerkraut. Consume your probiotics and you will notice an improvement towards both your mental and physical health.

Turmeric

This substance in considered a herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family and has proven to do wonders to both the body and mind. The spice has been used for its medicinal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties for thousands of years. Overall, it is a very effective nutritional supplement that can aid in you in your mental and physical health battles.

Turmeric contains bioactive compounds that contain strong medicinal properties, which are attained through compounds called curcuminoids, the most essential which is curcumin. Studies have shown that turmeric increases anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in the body and brain. Most important for mental health, turmeric has proven to boost brain function and elevate mood by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factors. Other doctor testimonies have shown that the main ingredient in turmeric (curcumin) has effective benefits against depression.

Other benefits of turmeric include preventing or treating cancer, reducing the risk of heart disease, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s as well as arthritis, and may help delay aging.

There are many elegant turmeric abundant foods that seem actually quite delicious. Personally I consume turmeric mainly through supplement form as well as curry. However, foods that are high in turmeric include Southwestern tofu scramble, fragrant yellow rice, creamy curried cauliflower soup, cauliflower steaks with ginger, cumin, and turmeric, cabbage in mild yogurt and mustard seed curry, as well as tea which can be made by simmering turmeric with honey and milk to make a nice beverage.

For more elaborated benefits of turmeric, I encourage you to visit Turmeric Heals as it is all about the excellence of turmeric towards physical and mental health.

I have just covered the main food groups I believe are the most essential when battling depression and other mental disorders. By consuming your Omega-3s, Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants, Microbiotics, and Turmeric, you will notice a drastic improvement towards your physical and mental health.

I encourage you to consume these food groups.

Specific Foods That Combat Depression:

I have listed many foods above with their proper nutritional compounds that aid in battling depression. Here is a list of my favorite foods that contain the essential nutritional compounds you need to live a healthy mental and physical life.

Swiss Chard

Blue Potatoes

Greek Yogurt

Eggs

Red Peppers

Green Tea

Blueberry Juice

Dark Chocolate

Pumpkin Seeds

Asparagus

Grass-Fed Beef

Cherry Tomatoes

Coconut

Mussels

Whole Grains

Walnuts

Apples

Beans

Berries

Avocado

Dark Leafy Green

Almonds

I hope this information helps you during your battle with depression as it has helped me with mine. The best thing I have done to combat my mental health issues was to implement a proper diet with these said food groups. I also exercise and consume my supplements as together, they will do wonders to the body and brain. I encourage you to do the same.

If you have any other food groups or specific foods to add to the list, or even have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to comment below.

Robert Sherwood

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58 Comments

Wow this is a great list and I will have to reference it in the future; we all have our depressive moments.

And it is so true. A healthy body = a happy and healthy mind. But also when you eat junk, your subconscious is thinking, “Ok, I’m doing horrible and ruining myself” and just reinforces your negative thought process.

Hi Rob,
Your posts are so thorough and cover so many elements of your topics. Great work. Depression is such a debilitating disease and is becoming more prevalent in todays society. Here in Australia there are more and more sports stars having to take time out to deal with mental health issues.

So its a massive topic. I am a firm believer that food is medicine. If we eat the right healthy foods as you say in the post and work on our minds with meditation, exercise regularly and hang out with positive supportive people I believe you can heal any disease. I proved that myself with prostate cancer and if I can do it anyone can!

Yes its great that turmeric is now being recognised as a real benefit in helping overcome depression. It is a real super healer and I’m glad people are becoming more aware of it.
Great work Rob
Ps thanks for sharing my link 🙂

Hey Kev, so happy I can help out! You are right – depression and other mental illnesses are becoming much more prevalent in today’s society and I am so glad they are receiving more positive attention also.

Mental health disorders are actually very common among athletes. Some people wouldn’t think so but it is. That’s why people should never assume someone is doing fine, we all go through battles people don’t know about. That is why I would love to stress to be kind always. You never know what people are going through. A smile can hide everything.

I agree – implementing natural activities such as exercise while eating healthy and nutritious foods is very beneficial for one’s mental health. So glad you found your cure from prostate cancer through natural remedies! Turmeric is amazing – so many physical and mental benefits. You’re welcome and take care!

As I started to read this and I saw best foods for depression, I thought about how happy food makes me in general. It is good to see though which foods tend to help with what particular aspects of our mood. As I understand it, antioxidants are supposed to be good. Which means oxidants must be bad. Are you able to provide any such examples of oxidants in our bodies or where the come from?

Hi Neil, yes you are right. Antioxidants are great for cellular health which promotes good physical and mental health. Junk food or fast food can be examples of oxidants (pizza, burgers, ice-cream, chocolate bars etc – that are generated from a single food source). These lack anti-oxidants and are abundant in oxidants. Oxidants or free radicals are the major underlying cause of many human diseases. Aging is also associated with abundance of oxidants.

Oxidants are developed during cellular metabolism, where 98% of the oxygen consumed by a cell is transformed into water. The remaining percent is free to escape as free radicals which further damage cells and can cause diseases (physically and mentally). Furthermore, oxidants are molecules with a single unpaired electron and are looking to bond. Molecular oxidants can be hydroxy one radical, peroxides, superoxide anion, and hydroxides.

In essence, consume your anti-oxidants and they will fight off the unhealthy oxidants leading to a healthy mind and body!

I think it is essential that more people take the time to consider what we put in our bodies. Your site is a great stop for people seeking help with depression and their body. You have made great suggestions and lists of foods. There are so many people who suffer from depression and I love how you left your email for people who may need a listening ear. Thanks again for this great info!

I agree with you Melanie. You are what you eat, literally mentally and physically. Thank you for your compliment and of course, I am always here to listen whenever someone needs to reach out to me about anything!

Hi Robbie,
I hope this comment finds you well! Wow! What a fascinating read and educational tool for those that battle depression! As I read through your post, my mind drifted back to the times I have been over intoxicated with junk food. I not only became depressed, I was irritable and easily fatigued. As the years have passed, I have incorporated healthier food choices on my plates such as the Omega-3 rich foods and fresh fruits and vegetables you have listed. And it’s funny that you mention cumin being a depression reliever. It never fails that every time I eat chili during the winter months, I get in a wonderful mood afterward, and now I possibly know why. My chili recipe calls for one teaspoon of cumin. Thank you also for posting the list of foods that combat depression. I will keep that list close by.
Best Wishes Friend,
John

Hi John, I am so glad you found this post very helpful. It certainly brought back the memories of times I went on junk food spurts and just felt terrible within my mind and body after. Love how your incorporating healthy food choices now. Omega-3s as well as fruits and vegetables are very great anti-inflammatories as well as anti-oxidants which is essential for a healthy mind and body. Cumin is also great for mental health and many other physical disorders. I might have to take you up on the chili recipe haha. Anyways, glad I could help John and if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to let me know!

Yes, implementing a healthy diet in your routine does wonders to your mind. Eating healthy leads to a healthy body which leads to a healthy mindset. Your first step to a healthy mind is to consume proper nutritious foods Daniel.

Thank you for that compliment Courtney! Turmeric is awesome! Honestly, so good both physically and mentally. I strongly recommend it. Also, the website I have linked in my article is excellent. It discusses all the benefits (both physical and mental) of consuming turmeric. It even provides meal choices as well as recipes that contain the abundant amounts of turmeric we need. Turmeric is one of my favorites!

I’ve battled with depression. And one needs a strong mind to come out of it. Personally, I made it through with the help of my wife and a therapist. But I never thought about the valuable information you write about here. I understand now that there is another added punch to escaping depression.

Glad you have made it out. It is difficult to overcome, but with the right help including exercise, healthy diet, supplements, as well as discussing your illness with someone, I know for sure anyone could defeat it as that is what I did to beat my depression. Thank you for reaching out Maurice and yes always remember, eating healthy leads to a healthy mind!

Hey Rob – Thanks for this I never thought there are foods by which we can avoid depression. As many people suggest only practical ways of doing physical excercise, yoga, etc.,. This really made me wonder on how foods can solve our depression. I’m gonna start intake of foods mentioned in the above and the supplements provided, could you please suggest any supplement or tablets for omega3. I see it is available only with some fish types and no supplement mentioned for the same? Thanks Mana

Hi Manasir. Glad I could help. Nutritionally balanced foods can definitely play a vital role when battling mental illness. Eating healthy is so important to achieving a healthy mind. I linked in my post a supplement form of Omega 3. It is Nutrigold Triple Strength Omega 3. It is a bit pricy but it’s an excellent product as it has 2100mg per capsule which is a great amount. You would definitely receive your vital omega 3’s with this product. However, there are other good ones. I also like Jamieson brands for supplements. I take Jamieson 5-HTP and it’s excellent. Jamieson Omega 3 I have not tried but I definitely trust the brand so I would recommend the product. I also like Webber Naturals brand. These one’s are the most reputable with great reviews. However I stick to the one I have linked as it is a heavy dose and with that – I know I am getting a plentiful amount.

Hi Rob, thanks for this very informative and heartfelt article. All of us have gone one way or another on a stage where we seem endlessly depressed, I also experienced eating on impulse to combat it but ended up worse. I am glad you shared this very important article on how to help solve this “state” of hopelessness. Knowing what the proper and healthy food we must eat is a great start. I am also in awe about your passionate enumeration on the various kinds of food with its corresponding benefits. You really dug deep and it was amazing. I’ll definitely bookmark this and use as a reference. This can actually save lives that’s why I am glad. Thanks again for this brother.

Thank you for reaching out JR and I am so glad I could help. I love to help those with mental struggles. It is extremely prevalent in today’s society and does deserve more attention. I am glad mental illness is receiving more positive attention but it does need more as there is still a stigma around it.

Anyways, yes eating healthy is very important to help combat mental health issues such as depression. By receiving the proper nutrients daily, you will notice an improvement towards your physical and mental health.

I totally agree that food can be determining factor when it comes to depression, when you asked if anyone had ever felt bad in body and mind after eating junk food, that was eye opening, thank you for this lovely article, I really gained some great information.

Glad I could help Nick. Nutritional food is the greatest cure for mental and physical orders. It brings a healthy body and mind as well as giving you the satisfaction you need knowing you are capable of living a healthy life. The nutritional compounds allow for mood elevation, increased motivation, increased brain power, and increase in overall health!

The more information we have the better. This is needed. Depression is a serious issue and knowing what can be done to improve the condition is not only helpful to the person with depression but its also helpful for the people around him/her. The posts about what supplements are good for depression and what exercises to perform were very informative. This post has the same tone of being informative providing all the information needed on what to eat to help depression. Like many others I recently heard a lot about turmeric but I was also surprised to see oregano and ginger on the list. Not surprised to see dark chocolate and cocoa on the list but didn’t know for sure that would be beneficial. Funny story, when I feel down I have been eating/drinking those without really realizing why.
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information. Keep up the good work!

Thank you Dira! Just realizing that a proper diet is essential for a healthy mind is great. A lot of people do not understand this. Turmeric is great, has all the healing powers mentally and physically – it’s one of my favorites. I honestly use to eat dark chocolate and didn’t even know it was good for my mental health. Now I will eat it more when I am craving a treat. Glad I could be informative.

To get over your illness, did you do it 100% with all natural foods and supplements, or did you use prescription medications and added the all natural foods? The supplements you take, do you take them all at once, or are they spread through the day? Is weight loss ever a concern?

I did not use prescription medications. I implemented all life-style changes including a healthy diet, exercise, activities, supplements, as well as openly discussing mental illness. I try spreading out my supplements during the day, but I do take everyone every day. I usually take my 5-HTP in the morning as well as the afternoon. I take my probiotics and melatonin at night. I also consume my vitamins and omega-3s during the day. It really helps and you will find it should bring the same positive effects as anti-depressants except without the side-effects. For me weight loss isn’t a concern. I do know that an unhealthy weight can bring depression and other mental disorders. That is why I would like to stress a proper diet and exercise. For those with weight-loss issues and depression, your best cure is to exercise and eat healthy. It will take time, but your first couple steps into this routine will feel wonderful!

Thank you Chappy. Yes, by implementing simple life-style changes I am beating mental illness day by day. I am truly on the path to greater happiness all by exercising, eating healthy, and consuming natural supplements! Take care.

This is such a crucial post because having a healthy diet is so essential to thrive in the world let alone helpful for beating depression. In the past, I’ve always found fixing up my diet has played a monumental part in helping me overcome the dark moments.

I completely agree with you Lawrence. Consuming a healthy diet with the right nutritional compounds is essential for a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. Glad I could help and if you have any other questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask!

I too have been suffering with this horrible illness for the last year and before I was diagnosed I had no idea how bad it was. I am slowly getting back to my normal self and its all down to like you said “healthy living” . I have bookmarked this article for future reference. Thanks

Great list here my friend. Food definitely plays a part in how we feel. Do you remember those Minute Maid commercials with the slogan “Put good in, get good out”? Very true words. Very informative post

Hi Rob,
Very good post there. Yes, exercise helps a lot with depression and diet of course too. I live in the Caribbean, and I have to say I never get depressed. The sunshine and vitamin D plays a big part. Perhaps you could write an article on vitamin D and its role in fighting depression. I used to live in Canada and there were days when I had a hard time getting out of bed. But here in Barbados I’m up at the crack of dawn ready for another beautiful day. Great post again.

You must get a plentiful amount of Vitamin D by living in the Caribbean Tom. Vitamin D is a key player in the battle of mental illnesses. Unfortunately, depression and other mental illnesses have numerous causes and many people that live in sunny areas can still acquire these illnesses. That is why we all take the appropriate measures such as exercising, eating healthy, and consuming natural supplements in order to maintain a healthy body and mind. Thank you for reaching out Tom.

Wow, I honestly had no idea that specific foods would help combat depression, but after reading your detailed article it totally makes sense. I’m glad to see that as I enjoy many of the things on this list, perhaps I just need to start eating more of them in conjunction with some more exercise to see some positive results! Thanks very much for the detailed article!

Yes, what you put in your body affects you both mentally and physically Craig! If you exercise while eating these healthy food groups, you will definitely notice an improvement towards your mental and physical health. It’s the small things in life that add up when developing healthy minds and bodies. Eating healthy, exercising, as well as being an all-around openly kind individual will lead someone on the path to happiness. You’re very welcome for this article Craig.

Great Post, thank you for sharing. Having suffered from anxiety and depression myself, I think the hardest thing to do is to recognize what is going on and having the wherewithal to make the changes. It’s clear that diet plays a huge role in all of this, but it’s also a significant change to make when you’re not in a good head space. Support from a loved one, family or friends would also help when trying to implement those changes and the benefit of that is that everyone wins by a healthier diet 🙂 The Citrus Peach Fusion looks like an interesting product too, I’d never heard of it, but will definitely be sussing it out.
All the best, Che

Hi Karen, thank you for opening up about your anxiety. It is not fun. One of the hardest things to do with mental illness patients is accepting it. We don’t like to admit it and it’s difficult to come to terms with it. This is in part due to the stigma which is why raising awareness is essential. However, stigma or not, it is important for those with mental health issues to discuss them and take action. We will not get better if we just sit back and do nothing. I agree, exercising, a proper diet, and talking to a someone (family member, friend, counselor) are great remedies and together, work very efficiently! I love the Citrus Peach Fusion – gives me all the nutrients I need for a great day ahead!

Hi Rob, great post! It’s all about tweaking the chemical combinations in our heads to adjust the mood that we’re in I reckon. Thank you for sharing! I’ll remember to check this site out when I need a mood booster 🙂

Thank you Cindy. Yes, when we have mental illnesses, we are in a battle with our brains. We need to beat this. We need to win the battle. By eating healthy as well as exercising and consuming natural supplements, we can restore our chemicals back to their origin combinations. It is also important to feed out negativity and be openly positive.

Wow Rob, there is plenty here that can keep a body and the mind healthy. I knew that eating good food was obviously good for the body but I didn’t realize how much an influence it can be on your mind.

I do eat healthily quite often but sometimes I will have a bit of junk food. I should cut back and this should be a reason to curb me. The only problem is staying off the bad stuff. I suppose one day at a time would be the best strategy?

Hi Owain, yes a huge influence on the mind actually. People don’t realize that keeping a healthy mind is like keeping a healthy body. We exercise and implement a proper diet to improve our physical health. However, we don’t realize that we need to take measures to keep our mental health high too. How? By implementing the same measures we do for our body – exercise, proper diet, supplements. It is also important to keep the brain positive by being open-minded, feeding out negativity, and living fully.

So glad I could help Steve. It’s honestly quite simple. However, a lot of us don’t take the time to brush up on our knowledge of the simple steps that lead to a healthy mind and body. Thank you for reaching out.

Great post! What we eat definitely affects how we feel, having a poor diet for years it took me a while to realise that. Changing diets is one of the hardest things to do that’s why the supplements are so beneficial to help you transition from a poor diet to a great one! I recommend ‘the ultramind solution’ and ‘potatoes not prozac’, two fantastic books that delve deep on how nutrition affects mental health.

Yes, we are what we eat, both physically and mentally. I agree with the supplements. Not only is changing the diet hard, but also acquiring some of these food groups can be difficult too. That’s why taking supplements are easy and efficient and give you the same nutrients as consuming these food groups. I love my supplements and don’t go a day without taking them! Thank you for your recommendations.

I didn’t thought that healthy diet can fight depression and anxiety. I already read a lot of stories about people experiencing depression and anxiety and they always say that people encouraging them is not enough to help improve their condition. It only worsens what they are going through.
Now, they could start by helping themselves fight their depression or anxiety through healthy diet according to your post. This is really informative and helpful.
But what should we do if this person doesn’t have appetite?

Hi Joseph, yes of course a healthy diet plays an essential role in our mental health lives. Think of it as you are feeding your mind with nutrients and healthy compounds. Sometimes encouragement can be too overwhelming for those with mental illness (especially if they are wrong words such as “it’s only in your mind – think positively etc”.
If a person doesn’t have an appetite, then I would strongly recommend natural supplements. Under each food category in this post, I have linked a supplement form in the title or post. Through supplements, you are getting the plentiful nutritional compounds you need. I love my supplements and take them everyday Joesph!

Hi Rob, thank you for this post. It really hits close to home for me. I think I’ve seen this just at the right time actually, and need to follow your advice. I’ve had depression before and can feel myself slipping back into bad unhealthy habits, as well as some negative thoughts:/ This was a timely reminder to start looking after myself again. Thanks for the article:)

So happy I could help Erica. Keep healthy habits part of your daily routine. Do your physical activity and eat healthy. This will also help you feed out your negative thoughts. I find meditation, yoga, or going on a nice, calm trip really helps when trying to get rid of negative impulses!

Hi, Rob! Thanks for sharing this useful information! I agree that a healthy diet is essential, and it helps fight depression, anxiety and reduces stress. If we want to be physically and mentally healthy, we need to eat foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. I wrote an article about Vitamins that can help with stress relief – https://howtoreducestressnaturally.com/vitamins-and-supplements/
Your article is great and useful for many people. Thank you again!

Hi Rob, thank you for this very informative site. I totally agree with you that a healthy diet is essential to help fight depression that among other things but healthy diet and exercise is a good start

You are totally right Carole. Exercising and a good diet are key steps in facing depression but those two steps can be very difficult to start. You need the right motivation to get going. That is when the next step of positive thoughts and self esteem come into play and will lead someone into better diet and exercise.

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